Northumberland Plate meeting beats the rain

One of the biggest events in the region's sporting calendar managed to go ahead despite being threatened by the freak weather conditions.

The Northumberland plate meeting took place at Newcastle racecourse this afternoon with "Il de Rey" claiming victory.

The race first started in 1833 and has been known since as the "pitmen's derby".

A huge clean up operation had to be done after Thursday's storm flooded the racecourse. But there was some sunshine for the racegoers this afternoon.